Little Britain fans pining for the return of their favourite surreal sketch show will have been sobbing in their sleeves as Matt Lucas this week declared the series too politically incorrect for modern television.

Seventies and Eighties sitcoms have been long criticised for their casual racism, from Love Thy Neighbour’s derogatory treatment of black characters to Fawlty Towers' depiction of German tourists and Irish builders.

Until now, however, Little Britain, The League of Gentlemen and other comedies of a similar vintage have been generally immune from criticism – largely on the basis that they did not mock ethnic groups but “legitimate” chuckle targets such as the fat or working class.

A decade on, though, public opinion has changed. Here are 20 recent sitcoms that wouldn't have been green-lit today. [Words by Ed Power]